Germany’s Deutschland-Ticket, a popular and affordable transport pass, is set to increase in price by 18% next year. Introduced last year, the ticket allows unlimited travel on local and regional trains, buses, and subways for a fixed monthly fee. The current cost of €49 per month will rise to €58 at the beginning of 2025. Officials believe that the price increase will help keep the ticket attractive while also providing more stable financing.
The Germany Ticket was created to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transportation, following a successful pilot program offering unlimited travel for €9 per month. Despite the popularity of the ticket, officials found that the extremely low pricing was not financially sustainable. The ticket also helped simplify the complex public transit system, making it easier for travelers to navigate.
Around 13 million people in Germany, out of a population of 83 million, utilize the Deutschland-Ticket. However, sales have fallen short of expectations, leading to a potentially large funding gap in the coming year. Bavaria’s transport minister stated that the price increase was necessary and unavoidable to ensure the continued success of the ticket. This decision shows a commitment from German regional authorities to maintain and improve upon the Germany Ticket model in the future.
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